OPTICAL TOUCH SCREEN

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical touch screen capable of recognizing touch coordinates when a screen is touched by a finger or a touch-pen.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of a diversity of display devices such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a touch screen has become popular as one of the most efficient input devices for use in facilitating an interface between a display device and a user. The touch screen enables a user to easily manipulate a variety of devices, for example, a computer, a mobile phone, a banking terminal, a game console, etc. using the user's finger or a touch pen while viewing the touch screen, and thus its applications are wide.

[0003] Generally, methods for implementing a touch screen include an electrical method and an optical method. The electrical scheme may provide a resistive film type touch screen or an electrostatic capacity type touch screen. The resistive film type and the electrostatic capacity type touch screens increase in cost and have more technical problems as the size is increased, and thus they are usually manufactured as small touch screens.

[0004] The optical method may use an infrared matrix, a camera, or the like. The infrared matrix may be used for a medium/large touch screen. However, as a size of the touch screen becomes larger, power consumption and cost are increased and more malfunctions occur due to environmental conditions such as sunlight and lighting.

[0005] A camera-based touch screen may calculate location coordinates of a touching object on the basis of angles of images of the touching object captured by two cameras. Similar to the infrared matrix-based touch screen, the camera-based touch screen may have malfunction problems due to the environmental conditions such as sunlight, lighting, and the like. In addition, the angles of the images of the touching object captured by each camera may be inaccurate due to measurement errors caused by distortion of camera lenses. Further, in detecting two or more touches in the touch screen, it is difficult to identify a calculative ghost point, if any.

[0006] An optical modular touch screen using a linear infrared emitter is disclosed in KR-B1-100 910 024.

Technical Problem

[0007] The following description relates to an optical touch screen that can obtain accurate coordinates of an object being touched in a touch screen more efficiently without measurement errors caused by distortion of a camera lens and without being affected by the sunlight, a shadow, the exterior light, or the like by increasing the brightness of the infrared light sources.

[0008] In addition, the following description relates to an optical touch screen that can obtain accurate actual coordinates of two or more touches by distinguishing ghost point coordinates that are only introduced for calculation in detecting the multi-touch.

Technical Solution

[0009] The present invention provides an optical touch screen according to claim 1.

[0010] Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the subclaims or the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

Advantageous Effects

[0011] According to the present invention, infrared light sources forming fine coordinates are generated toward a touch area by emitting evenly in all directions and positions of the infrared light sources blocked by a touching object are detected to obtain coordinates of the touching object, so that the coordinates of the touching object can be stably and efficiently obtained without measurement error caused by aberration and distortion of a camera lens and without being affected by the sunlight, a shadow, the exterior light, or the like by increasing the brightness of the infrared light sources.

[0012] In addition, according to the present invention, a fine coordinate infrared light source generator distributes light from one or two infrared light emitting unit over the same number of infrared light sources forming fine coordinates as fine grooves, so that it is possible to reduce power consumption and make it easy to manufacture a large-sized touch screen. Further, in the occurrence of two or more touches in a touch screen, a ghost point that is only introduced for calculation can be accurately identified and thus it is possible to detect accurate actual coordinates of the touching object.

Description of Drawings

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical touch screen according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a front view of an example of a fine coordinate infrared light source generator.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a part of the fine coordinate infrared light source generator of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of another example of the fine coordinate infrared light source generator.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a front view of another example of the fine coordinate infrared light source generator.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a part of the fine coordinate infrared light source generator of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a lookup table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of measuring angles of positions of each fine coordinate infrared light source using infrared cameras.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a column of fine coordinate infrared light sources being detected by an image sensor.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a process of obtaining touch coordinates.

Mode for Invention

[0014] The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

[0015] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on" or "connected to" another element or layer, it can be directly on or directly connected to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly connected to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical touch screen according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the optical touch screen 100 includes a main body 110, fine coordinate infrared light source generators for generating infrared light sources forming fine coordinates 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D, infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C, and a control unit 140.

[0017] The main body 110 encloses edges of a touch area 10 of a screen. The touch area 10 may be a touch screen area of a variety of display devices including a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. The main body 110 supports the fine coordinate infrared light source generators 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D and the infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C, which are mounted thereon.

[0018] The fine coordinate infrared light source generators 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D provide references for coordinates in a horizontal axis and a vertical axis of the touch area 10. The fine coordinate infrared light source generators 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D are each installed on each of two horizontal and two vertical sides of the main body 110.

[0019] The fine coordinate infrared light source generators 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D generate a plurality of infrared light sources forming fine coordinates at a predefined spacing toward the touch area 10 from four inner sides of the main body 110. Light emission portions of the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates are positioned above the touch area 10, and disposed on the four sides of the touch area 10 in a certain alignment. Accordingly, the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates can function as references for coordinates in a horizontal axis and a vertical axis on the touch area 10.

[0020] The infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C, which are cameras that are sensitive to infrared light, are installed in the main body 110 to detect the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates generated by the fine coordinate infrared light source generators 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D. Although the optical touch screen 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes three infrared cameras, there may be provided two or four infrared cameras in another example.

[0021] Each of the infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C may include a lens and an image sensor. The lens may have a field of view of 90 degrees or more. The image sensor converts an optical image of an object that is formed on the image sensor by a lens into an electrical signal. The image sensor may be a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

[0022] The infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C may detect locations of the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates that are blocked by an object being touched in the touch area 10, and provide the control unit 140 with the detected data. Then, the control unit 140 calculates location coordinates of the object being touched in the touch area 10 based on the data detected by the infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C.

[0023] As described above, since the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates are generated toward the touch area 10 and the location coordinates of the touching object is calculated based on the detected location of the infrared light source blocked by the touching object, the location coordinates of the touching object can be stably obtained without measurement error caused by aberration and distortion of a camera lens and without being affected by the sunlight, a shadow, the exterior light, or the like.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the fine coordinate infrared light source generators 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D may include at least one infrared light emitting unit 121 and a fine-coordinate-light source distributor 122. The infrared light emitting unit 121 may be an infrared light emitting diode (LED). The fine-coordinate-light source distributor 122 distributes infrared light from the infrared light emitting unit 121 to a plurality of infrared light sources forming fine coordinates at a predefined spacing.

[0025] As an example, the fine-coordinate-light source distributor 122 may include a transparent rod 123 and a diffusion unit 124. The transparent rod 123 may be made of a transparent plastic or glass substance. The transparent rod 123 may have the infrared emitting unit 121 disposed on at least one end. The transparent rod 123 may have a rectangular cross-section.

[0026] The transparent rod 123 may have fine grooves 123a on one side at predetermined space intervals along the length thereof. The light from the infrared light emitting unit 121 that passes into one end of the transparent rod 123 is diffuse reflected by the fine grooves 123a, thereby generating the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates. Accordingly, a plurality of infrared light sources forming fine coordinates at a predefined spacing can be generated from the transparent rod 123. Although not illustrated, the transparent rod 123 may have an additional infrared light emitting unit or a reflection mirror on the opposite end thereof so as to increase the brightness of the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates.

[0027] The diffusion unit 124 may be provided to enable the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates to emit from the fine grooves 123a evenly in all directions. The diffusion unit 124 may be a diffusion film. The diffusion film may have a diffuse reflection surface, and be attached on a portion of the transparent rod 123 where the fine grooves 123a are formed.

[0028] The fine coordinate infrared light source generators 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D generate the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates by distributing the light from one or two infrared light emitting units 121 among the same number of infrared light sources forming fine coordinates as the fine grooves 123a, and thus can reduce power consumption and make it easy to manufacture a large-sized touch screen.

[0029] As another example, as shown in FIG. 4, a transparent rod 223 of a fine-coordinate-light source distributor 222 may have fine grooves 224 at predetermined space intervals on one side 223a along a length direction, and generate infrared light sources forming fine coordinates at a predefined spacing on the other side 223b that is opposite to the side 223a having the fine grooves 224 formed thereon. The transparent rod 223 may have at least one infrared light emitting unit 121 disposed on at least one or each of ends.

[0030] The light from the infrared light emitting unit 121 passing into one end of the transparent rod 223 causes diffuse reflection on each fine groove 224. Some light diffuse reflected by the fine grooves 224 is focused as it enters through the transparent rod 223, and the focused light is emitted through an opposite side 223b of the transparent rod 223. Therefore, the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates can be generated at a predefined spacing on the opposite side 223b of the transparent rod 223. The transparent rod 223 is disposed such that the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates can face the touch area 10.

[0031] The side 223b of the transparent rod 223 on which the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates are disposed may have a surface formed to be curved, which can function as a lens. Accordingly, some light diffuse reflected by the fine grooves 224 can be more effectively focused on the side 223b of the transparent rod 223 as it passes through the transparent rod 223 toward the side 223b.

[0032] In addition, the transparent rod 223 may have the side 223a formed to be curved, on which the fine grooves 224 are arranged. Accordingly, some light diffuse reflected by the fine grooves 224 can be focused inside the transparent rod 223, so that the intensity of light emitting from the opposite side 223b of the transparent rod 223 can be increased.

[0033] The transparent rod 223 may further include a reflection member 225 on the side 223a where the fine grooves 224 are arranged. The reflection member 225 may reflect the light toward the transparent rod 223 as the light is diffuse reflected by the fine grooves 224 and propagates toward the exterior, and thus the brightness of the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates can be increased.

[0034] As another example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a fine-coordinate-light distributor 322 may include a base film 323, optical paths 324, a coating film 325, and a diffusion unit 326. The base film 323 may be a film having a low refractive index. The optical paths 324 on the base film 323 may be made of transparent resin having a high refractive index, being spaced predetermined intervals from each other. The optical paths 324 may be formed by printing or etching on the base film 323.

[0035] The coating film 325 may be made of resin having a low refractive index to cover the optical paths 324. The coating film 325 may cover the entire base film 323. The diffusion unit 326 enables the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates to emit from the optical paths 324 evenly in all directions. The diffusion unit 326 may be a diffusion film having a diffuse reflection surface, and be attached to a portion of the fine-coordinate-light distributor 322 where the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates emit.

[0036] When light from the infrared light emitting unit 121 enters at least one side of the base film 323, total reflection of the light occurs in each optical path 324 and the reflected light arriving at an emission end of the optical path 324 is diffused and emitted by the diffusion unit 326. Thus, the light from the infrared light emitting unit 121 can be distributed over the same number of infrared light sources forming fine coordinates as the optical paths 324, which are disposed at predetermined space intervals.

[0037] Referring back to FIG. 1, three infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C are disposed on each of three corners of the main body 110. For example, the infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C may be, respectively, placed in the lower left corner, the lower right corner, and the upper right corner. The infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C may be disposed to have their centers placed at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal and vertical sides of the main body 110. As a result, the infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C enable to detect the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates that are generated by the fine coordinate infrared light source generators 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D disposed on facing horizontal and vertical sides of the main body 110.

[0038] The control unit 140 may include a camera interface 141, a memory 142, and a calculating unit 143. The memory 142 stores beforehand a lookup table as shown in FIG. 7. The lookup table may be generated as described below. The lengths of the inner horizontal sides and vertical sides of the main body 110 having the four fine coordinate infrared light source generators 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D installed on each side are set at the time of manufacturing. Further, the positions of the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates that are generated by the fine coordinate infrared light source generators 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D are initially set at the time of manufacturing of the main body 110.

[0039] Thus, angles of the positions of each infrared light source relative to the positions of the three infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C can be previously measured. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the infrared camera 130C in the upper right corner can measure angles of positions of n infrared light sources forming fine coordinates d₁ to d_n that are generated by the fine coordinate infrared light source generator 120D placed on the opposite left vertical side and angles of positions of m infrared light sources forming fine coordinates c₁ to c_m that are generated by the fine coordinate infrared light source generator 120C placed on the opposite lower horizontal side.

[0040] Likewise, the infrared camera 130A in the lower left corner and the infrared camera 130B in the lower right corner can measure angles of positions of corresponding infrared light sources forming fine coordinates. Based on the above measurement, the lookup table may be made using the position numbers assigned to the respective infrared light sources forming fine coordinates as index values and the angles of the positions of the respective infrared light sources forming fine coordinates measured by the three infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C as table values. The lookup table is stored in the memory 142 in advance.

[0041] The memory 142 stores beforehand address maps. The address maps are made as described below. The infrared camera 130C in the upper right corner are detecting both n infrared light sources forming fine coordinates d₁ to d_n that are generated by the fine coordinate infrared light source generator 120D on the opposite left vertical side and m infrared light sources forming fine coordinates c₁ to c_m that are generated by the fine coordinate infrared light source generator 120C on the opposite lower horizontal side. Hence, the image sensor 131 included in the infrared camera 130C in the upper right corner detects n+m infrared light sources forming fine coordinates d₁ to c_m as a single column, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0042] In the similar manner, the image sensor included in the infrared camera 130A in the lower left corner detects n+m infrared light sources forming fine coordinates b_n to b₁ and a_m to a₁. In addition, the image sensor included in the infrared camera 130B in the lower right corner detects n+m infrared light sources forming fine coordinates d_n to d₁ and a₁ to a_m.

[0043] Image data detected by the image sensors of the infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C are transmitted to the control unit 140 through the camera interface 141. The control unit 140 searches for data addresses of pixels of the image sensor that are exposed to light by the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates and assigns identification numbers to the found data addresses. The control unit 140, then, matches the identification numbers with the position numbers of the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates to generate the address maps for the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates. The generated address maps are stored in the memory 142 in advance.

[0044] An angle of a touch position may be calculated using the lookup table and the address maps that are present in the memory 142. In the occurrence of a touch on the touch area 10 with a touching object such as a finger, the infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C cannot receive the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates that are blocked by the touching object among the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates generated toward the touch area 10. Thus, pixels of the image sensor of each of the infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C, corresponding to the blocked infrared light sources forming fine coordinates, are stopped being exposed to light.

[0045] The calculating unit 143 periodically checks pixels on the address maps for light exposure data, and if there are pixels that stop being exposed to light, the calculating unit 143 reads the position numbers of the corresponding infrared light sources forming fine coordinates from the address maps by use of the identification numbers assigned to the addresses of the pixels. Thereafter, the calculating unit 143 obtains the angle values of the positions of the corresponding infrared light sources forming fine coordinates from the lookup table present in the memory 142.

[0046] The calculating unit 143 calculates the coordinates of the touching object based on the obtained angle values. The coordinates of the touching object may be calculated as described below. As shown in FIG. 10, given a position of a touch is P1 on the touch area 10, the calculating unit 143 obtains angles α_P1 and β_P1 corresponding to the position P1 from the lookup table. α_P1, is an angle acquired by the infrared camera 130A in the lower left corner and β_P1 is an angle acquired by the infrared camera 130B in the lower right corner.

[0047] Coordinates of the position P1 may be obtained by Equation 1 below where a length of an inner horizontal side of the main body 110 in an X-axis direction is W and a length of an inner vertical side of the main body 110 in a Y-axis direction is H.

[0048] When multi touch occurs on the touch area 10, the calculating unit 143 calculates coordinates of the touching point based on angle values obtained by two (for example, 130A and 130B) of the three infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C, and distinguishes actual point coordinates and ghost point coordinates based on the calculated coordinates of the touching object and the angle values obtained by the remaining infrared camera (for example, 130C).

[0049] For example, given that the positions of the multi touches are P1 and P2, coordinates (X1, Y1) of the position P1 and coordinates (X2, Y2) of the position P2 are obtained as described below. Angles α_P1 and α_P2 obtained by the infrared camera 130A in the lower left corner and angles β_P1 and β_P2 obtained by the infrared camera 130B produce four intersecting points as they are crossing each other. The four intersecting points includes P1 that is an intersecting point of α_P1 and β_P1, P2 that is an intersecting point of α_P2 and β _P2, G1 that is an intersecting point of α_P1 and β_P2, and G2 that is an intersecting point of α_P2 and β_P1. P1 and P2 are the actual points of the touching object and G1 and G2 are "ghost" points that are only introduced for calculation.

[0050] G1 and G2 are not present on lines of angles of θ_P1, θ_P2 that are detected by the infrared camera 130C in the upper right corner, and thus they are ghost points. The actual point coordinates can be distinguished from the ghost point coordinates as described below.

[0051] The calculating unit 143 calculates coordinate values of P1, P2, G1 and G2 by applying α_P1, α_P2, β_P1, and β_P2 to Equation 1. Then, the calculating unit 143 substitutes a coordinate value of P1 for (X,Y), another coordinate value of G1 for (X,Y), and an angle value of θP1 for θ in Equation 2 below. The calculating unit 143 makes a determination that the actual point coordinates are obtained if the right side is the same as the left side of Equation 2, and makes a determination that the ghost point coordinates are obtained if the right side is different from the left side of Equation 2. In the same manner, the calculating unit 143, respectively, substitutes a coordinate value of P2 for (X,Y) and a coordinate value of G2 for (X,Y) and an angle value of θ_P2 for θ in Equation 2. The calculating unit 143 makes a determination that actual point coordinates are obtained if the right side is the same as the left side of Equation 2 , and makes a determination that ghost point coordinates are removed if the left side is different from the right side of Equation 2.

[0052] If three or more touches are made in the touch area 10, the ghost point coordinates are removed by the same method as described above, and the actual point coordinates can be acquired.

[0053] In addition, there may be provided only two infrared cameras in an effort to reduce cost for manufacturing the optical touch screen 100. The two infrared cameras are disposed to diagonally face each other in each of two corners, among the four corners of the main body 110, and the infrared cameras are installed to detect all infrared light sources forming fine coordinates that are generated toward the touch area 10. For example, amongst the three infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C, the infrared camera 130B in the lower right corner may be omitted.

[0054] It also may be possible to install two infrared cameras in each of adjacent two corners of the main body 110 such that the infrared cameras can detect infrared light sources forming fine coordinates generated on diagonally opposite horizontal and vertical sides of the main body 110. For example, amongst the three infrared cameras 130A, 130B, and 130C, the infrared camera 130C in the upper right corner may be omitted.

[0055] As another example, the optical touch screen 100 may include four infrared cameras for more accurate identification of the coordinates of multi-touches. In this example, the four infrared cameras may be provided in each of four corners of the main body 110 so as to detect all infrared light sources forming fine coordinates that are generated toward the touch area 10.

Claims

1. An optical touch screen comprising:

a main body (110) configured to enclose edges of a touch area (10) of a screen (100);

fine coordinate infrared light source generators (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) configured to be arranged on each of two horizontal sides and two longitudinal sides of the main body and facing toward the touch area so as to generate a plurality of infrared light sources forming fine coordinates at a predefined spacing and to provide references for coordinates in a horizontal axis and a vertical axis of the touch area;

two or more infrared cameras (130A, 130B, 130C) configured to be installed in the main body (110) to detect the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates generated by the fine coordinate infrared light source generators (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D); and

a control unit (140) configured to calculate coordinates of an object being touched in the touch area (10) on the basis of detection data obtained by the infrared cameras (130A, 130B, 130C),

wherein each of the fine coordinate infrared light source generators (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) comprises at least one infrared light emitting unit (121) and a fine-coordinate-light source distributor (122) configured to distribute light emitted from the infrared light emitting unit (121) to the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates at a predefined spacing,

wherein the fine-coordinate-light source distributor (222) comprises a transparent rod (223) having the infrared light emitting unit (121) on one end,

characterized in that the transparent rod has fine grooves (224) formed at a predefined spacing on one side along a length direction such that the fine-coordinate-light source distributor allows light diffuse-reflected by the fine grooves (224) to generate the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates at a predefined spacing on the other side,

wherein the side of the transparent rod (223) on which the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates are generated has a curved surface to function as a lens,

wherein the side of the transparent rod (123) on which the fine grooves (123a) are formed has a curved surface so that the light diffuse-reflected by the fine grooves is focused inside the transparent rod (123), and

wherein the transparent rod (123) further comprises a reflection member (225) on the side where the fine grooves are formed.

2. The optical touch screen of claim 1, wherein there are provided three infrared cameras (130A, 130B, 130C) which are placed in each of three corners of the main body (110) such that centers of each of the infrared cameras (130A, 130B, 130C) are placed at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal and vertical sides of the main body (110).

3. The optical touch screen of claim 1, wherein the control unit (140) comprises
a memory (142) configured to store a lookup table having position numbers as index values, which are assigned to all infrared light sources forming fine coordinates, and angles of positions of the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates as table values, which are measured by the three infrared cameras (130A, 130B, 130C), and store address maps that are generated by matching identification numbers assigned to addresses of pixels on image sensors of each of the infrared cameras (130A, 130B, 130C) with the position numbers wherein the pixels are exposed to light by the infrared light sources forming fine coordinates and
a calculating unit (143) configured to periodically check the pixels on the address maps that correspond to the identification numbers for light exposure data, and if there are pixels that stop being exposed to light, read the position numbers of corresponding infrared light sources forming fine coordinates from the address maps by use of the identification numbers assigned to the addresses of the pixels, obtain the angle values of the corresponding infrared light sources forming fine coordinates from the lookup table and calculate the coordinates of the touching object based on the obtained angle values.

4. The optical touch screen of claim 3, wherein when multi-touch occurs, the calculating unit (143) calculates the coordinates of the touching object based on angle values obtained by two of the three infrared cameras (130A, 130B, 130C), and distinguishes actual point coordinates and ghost point coordinates of the touching object on the basis of the calculated coordinates of the touching object and angle values obtained by the remaining infrared camera.

Ansprüche

1. Optischer Touchscreen, umfassend:

einen Hauptkörper (110), welcher dazu eingerichtet ist, Ränder eines Berührungsbereichs (10) eines Bildschirms (100) zu umschließen;

Feinkoordinaten-Infrarotlichtquellen-Erzeugungselemente (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D), welche dazu eingerichtet sind, an jeder von zwei horizontalen Seiten und zwei longitudinalen Seiten des Hauptkörpers angeordnet zu sein und in Richtung des Berührungsbereichs zu weisen, um so eine Mehrzahl von Infrarotlichtquellen zu erzeugen, welche Feinkoordinaten mit einer vordefinierten Beabstandung bilden und Referenzen für Koordinaten in einer horizontalen Achse und einer vertikalen Achse des Berührungsbereichs bereitstellen;

zwei oder mehr Infrarotkameras (130A, 130B, 130C), welche dazu eingerichtet sind, in dem Hauptkörper (110) installiert zu sein, um die Infrarotlichtquellen zu detektieren, welche von den Feinkoordinaten-Infrarotlichtquellen-Erzeugungselementen (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) erzeugte Feinkoordinaten bilden; und

eine Steuereinheit (140), welche dazu eingerichtet ist, Koordinaten eines Objekts, welches in dem Berührungsbereich (10) berührt wird, auf der Grundlage von Detektionsdaten zu berechnen, welche von den Infrarotkameras (130A, 130B, 130C) erhalten werden,

wobei jedes der Feinkoordinaten-Infrarotlichtquellen-Erzeugungselemente (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) wenigstens eine Infrarotlicht-Emissionseinheit (121) und eine Feinkoordinaten-Lichtquellen-Verteilungseinheit (122) umfasst, welche dazu eingerichtet ist, Licht, welches von der Infrarotlicht-Emissionseinheit (121) emittiert wird, zu den Infrarotlichtquellen zu verteilen, welche Feinkoordinaten mit einer vordefinierten Beabstandung bilden, wobei die Feinkoordinaten-Lichtquellen-Verteilungseinheit (222) einen transparenten Stab (223) umfasst, welcher an einem Ende die Infrarotlicht-Emissionseinheit (121) aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der transparente Stab feine Rillen (224) aufweist, welche mit einer vordefinierten Beabstandung an einer Seite entlang einer Längsrichtung gebildet sind, so dass die Feinkoordinaten-Lichtquellen-Verteilungseinheit von den feinen Rillen (224) diffus reflektiertem Licht erlaubt, die Infrarotlichtquellen zu erzeugen, welche Feinkoordinaten mit einer vorbestimmten Beabstandung an der anderen Seite bilden,

wobei die Seite des transparenten Stabs (223), an welcher die Infrarotlichtquellen, welche Feinkoordinaten bilden, erzeugt werden, eine gekrümmte Oberfläche aufweist, um als eine Linse zu wirken,

wobei die Seite des transparenten Stabs (123), an welcher die feinen Rillen (123a) gebildet sind, eine gekrümmte Oberfläche aufweist, so dass das von den feinen Rillen diffus reflektierte Licht innerhalb des transparenten Stabs (123) fokussiert wird, und

wobei der transparente Stab (123) ferner ein Reflexionselement (225) an der Seite umfasst, an der die feinen Rillen gebildet sind.

2. Optischer Touchscreen nach Anspruch 1, wobei drei Infrarotkameras (130A, 130B, 130C) vorgesehen sind, welche in jeder von drei Ecken des Hauptkörpers (110) platziert sind, so dass Zentren von jeder der Infrarotkameras (130A, 130B, 130C) in einem Winkel von 45 Grad relativ zu den horizontalen und vertikalen Seiten des Hauptkörpers (110) platziert sind.

3. Optischer Touchscreen nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Steuereinheit (140) umfasst:

einen Speicher (142), welcher dazu eingerichtet ist, eine Nachschlagetabelle zu speichern, aufweisend Positionsnummern als Indexwerte, welche allen Infrarotlichtquellen zugeteilt sind, welche Feinkoordinaten bilden, und Winkel von Positionen der Infrarotlichtquellen, welche Feinkoordinaten bilden, als Tabellenwerte, welche von den drei Infrarotkameras (130A, 130B, 130C) gemessen werden, und Adresskennfelder zu speichern, welche erzeugt werden, indem Identifikationsnummern, welche Adressen von Pixeln an Bildsensoren von jeder der Infrarotkameras (130A, 130B, 130C) zugeteilt werden, den Positionsnummern zugeordnet werden, wobei die Pixel Licht von den Infrarotlichtquellen ausgesetzt sind, welche Feinkoordinaten bilden, und

eine Berechnungseinheit (143), welche dazu eingerichtet ist, periodisch die Pixel an den Adressenkennfeldern zu überprüfen, welche den Identifikationsnummern für Lichtaussetzungsdaten entsprechen, und wenn Pixel vorliegen, welche Licht nicht mehr ausgesetzt sind, die Positionsnummern entsprechender Infrarotlichtquellen, welche Feinkoordinaten bilden, aus den Adressenkennfeldern durch Verwendung der den Adressen der Pixel zugeteilten Identifikationsnummern auszulesen, die Winkelwerte der entsprechenden Infrarotlichtquellen, welche Feinkoordinaten bilden, aus der Nachschlagetabelle zu erhalten und die Koordinaten des berührenden Objekts auf Grundlage der erhaltenen Winkelwerte zu berechnen.

4. Optischer Touchscreen nach Anspruch 3, wobei wenn eine Mehrfachberührung auftritt, die Berechnungseinheit (143) die Koordinaten der berührenden Objekte auf Grundlage von Winkelwerten berechnet, welche von zwei der drei Infrarotkameras (130A, 130B, 130C) erhalten werden, und tatsächliche Punktkoordinaten und Geist-Punktkoordinaten des berührenden Objekts auf der Grundlage der berechneten Koordinaten des berührenden Objekts und Winkelwerten unterscheidet, welche von der verbleibenden Infrarotkamera erhalten werden.

Revendications

1. Écran tactile optique comprenant :

un corps principal (110) configuré pour encadrer des bords de zone tactile (10) d'un écran (100) ;

des générateurs de sources de lumière infrarouge de coordonnées précises (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) configurés pour être disposés sur chacun des deux côtés horizontaux et des deux côtés longitudinaux du corps principal, et orientés vers la zone tactile, de manière à produire une pluralité de sources de lumière infrarouge formant des coordonnées précises selon un espacement prédéfini, et pour procurer des références de coordonnées sur un axe horizontal et un axe vertical de la zone tactile ;

au moins deux caméras infrarouges (130A, 130B, 130C) configurées pour être installées dans le corps principal (110) afin de détecter les sources de lumière infrarouge formant des coordonnées précises produites par les générateurs de sources de lumière infrarouge de coordonnées précises (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) ; et

une unité de commande (140) configurée pour calculer les coordonnées d'un objet qui est touché dans la zone tactile (10) sur la base de données de détection obtenues par les caméras infrarouges (130A, 130B, 130C),

dans lequel chacun des générateurs de sources de lumière infrarouge de coordonnées précises (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) comprend au moins une unité émettrice de lumière infrarouge (121) et un répartiteur de sources de lumière de coordonnées précises (122) configuré pour répartir la lumière émise par l'unité émettrice de lumière infrarouge (121) vers les sources de lumière infrarouge formant des coordonnées précises selon un espacement prédéfini, dans lequel le répartiteur de sources de lumière de coordonnées précises (222) comprend une tige transparente (223) à une extrémité de laquelle se trouve l'unité émettrice de lumière infrarouge (121),

caractérisé en ce que la tige transparente présente de fines rainures (224) formées selon un espacement prédéfini sur un côté, dans une direction longitudinale, de manière que le répartiteur de sources de lumière de coordonnées précises permette à la lumière réfléchie de façon diffuse par les fines rainures (224) de produire les sources de lumière infrarouge formant des coordonnées précises selon un espacement prédéfini de l'autre côté, dans lequel le côté de la tige transparente (223) sur lequel les sources de lumière infrarouge formant des coordonnées précises sont produites présente une surface courbe pour faire office de lentille,

dans lequel le côté de la tige transparente (123) sur lequel sont formées les fines rainures (123a) présente une surface courbe, de manière que la lumière réfléchie de façon diffuse par les fines rainures soit focalisée à l'intérieur de la tige transparente (123), et

dans lequel la tige transparente (123) comprend en outre un élément de réflexion (225) du côté où sont formées les fines rainures.

2. Écran tactile optique selon la revendication 1, dans lequel se trouvent trois caméras infrarouges (130A, 130B, 130C) qui sont placées à chacun de trois coins du corps principal (110), de manière que les centres de chacune des caméras infrarouges (130A, 130B, 130C) soient placés à un angle de 45 degrés par rapport aux axes horizontal et vertical du corps principal (110).

3. Écran tactile optique selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'unité de commande (140) comprend :

une mémoire (142) configurée pour stocker une table de conversion comportant des numéros de positions en tant que valeurs d'indices qui sont attribuées à toutes les sources de lumière infrarouge formant des coordonnées précises, et des angles de positions des sources de lumière infrarouge formant des coordonnées précises en tant que valeurs de table qui sont mesurées par les trois caméras infrarouges (130A, 130B, 130C), et stocker des cartes d'adresses qui sont produites par mise en correspondance de numéros d'identification attribués à des adresses de pixels sur des capteurs d'image de chacune des caméras infrarouges (130A, 130B, 130C) avec les numéros de positions où les pixels sont exposés à la lumière par les sources de lumière infrarouge formant des coordonnées précises, et

une unité de calcul (143) configurée pour contrôler périodiquement les données d'exposition à la lumière des pixels sur les cartes d'adresses qui correspondent aux numéros d'identification, et s'il existe des pixels qui cessent d'être exposés à la lumière, lire les numéros de positions de sources correspondantes de lumière infrarouge formant des coordonnées précises à partir des tables de correspondance d'adresses, à l'aide des numéros d'identification attribués aux adresses des pixels, obtenir les valeurs d'angles des sources correspondantes de lumière infrarouge formant des coordonnées précises à partir de la table de conversion et calculer les coordonnées de l'objet touchant, en fonction des valeurs d'angles obtenues.

4. Écran tactile optique selon la revendication 3, dans lequel lorsque de multiples contacts tactiles ont lieu, l'unité de calcul (143) calcule les coordonnées de l'objet touchant en fonction de valeurs d'angles obtenues par deux des trois caméras infrarouges (130A, 130B, 130C), et distingue des coordonnées de point réel et des coordonnées de point fantôme de l'objet touchant, en fonction des coordonnées calculées de l'objet touchant et de valeurs d'angles obtenues par la caméra infrarouge restante.

Drawing